The NUM support pickets by workers around Lily mine

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) fully support the boycott and intensive pickets by workers and communities in and around the Lily mine in Barberton

The NUM believe that the planned commemoration is aimed at brainwashing families of the three victims trapped underground. It goes without doubt that the management wants to vindicate themselves from the tragedy at the expense of those poor workers. We fully support the workers who are protesting irrespective of their union affiliations.

The NUM has not lost hope that the miners should be rescued from underground. We will make sure that those workers are rescued whether they are alive or dead so that their families can find closure.

"We have not lost hope that the miners should be rescued from underground. So what are we commemorating? Are we commemorating that those mineworkers are still trapped in the belly of the earth? The people who are organising this kind event are unreasonable and they do not care. Shame unto them. We are not going to participate in this event. We will make sure that those workers are rescued whether they are alive or dead. We believe that god is great. For now, we cannot speak about any commemoration and we are not going to be part of it," said Joseph Montisetse, NUM Deputy President.

We believe as the NUM that there is nothing to commemorate because three mineworkers are still trapped underground since February 5 last year.

Mine safety affects us all irrespective of union affiliation and we all need to send a strong message to the mining sector by standing shoulder to shoulder on this cause.